Hundreds Flee Northern Pakistan Amid Continuing Violence

Hundreds of Pakistanis are fleeing villages in North West Frontier Province, where fighting between government troops and militants loyal to a pro-Taliban religious leader raged for a third straight day.

Army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad says 10 militants were killed Sunday in fighting with security forces backed by helicopter gunships.

On Saturday, Pakistani officials said militants had executed 13 people, including seven civilians.

The Swat valley has been the scene of battles since Friday after authorities sent more than 2,000 soldiers to counter growing militancy from cleric Maulana Fazlullah. He is trying to establish strict Islamic law in the area.

In other news, three rockets hit Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, early Sunday. Police say one of the rockets landed near the U.S. Consulate, however no deaths were reported.